Kentucky Derby, Oaks programs will highlight Kentucky-bred horses

Apr. 19, 2013

Written by

The Courier-Journal

The effort to promote Kentucky agricultural products through the Kentucky Proud program will reach the pages of the Kentucky Derby and Oaks programs in a new way this year, officials from the state Department of Agriculture and Churchill Downs announced Friday.

The Kentucky Proud logo will appear in the program on those two days next to the names of all horses bred in Kentucky in any race. The effort links Kentucky agriculture’s highest profile marketing effort and the state’s two biggest racing days.

The announcement was made at the Kentucky Derby Festival’s They’re Off Luncheon by Agriculture Commissioner James Comer and Churchill Downs track President Kevin Flanery.

The Kentucky Proud program uses funds from the tobacco settlement to market Kentucky products and increase farm income.

The Agriculture Department announced in 2011 that horses would be part of the Kentucky Proud program, making breeders and horse groups eligible starting in 2012 for cost-sharing grants to cover marketing costs. But the involvement hasn’t been as high profile as the effort announced Friday with the Derby and Oaks.

“Today we take a huge leap forward toward our ultimate goal” of making the thorougbred industry a more integrated part of Kentucky’s agriculture industry, Agriculture Commissioner James Comer said, referring to a historical divide between the two.

“This is a mutually beneficial partnership because it places the spotlight on Kentucky’s superior farming, the superior breeders and our racing industry,” he said. “And it places the Kentucky Proud brand on the world stage. With this initiative we finally unite the entire agriculture community in Kentucky.”

Reporter Gregory A. Hall can be reached at (502) 582-4087 and on Twitter @gregoryahall.